Thank You for the faithful followers of my Father of Five Stories. I apologize for leaving them incomplete. My health has deteriorated since I began writing them. Those of you that have consistently left reviews, Thank You for your sweet support and show of interest. This chapter is short tonight as I continue to edit the remaining chapters to completion. Story Stats show 1000+ readers in the past week and I've only received 7 reviews. If you would like to read more of this story and wish for me to complete it...Please send me A review. Thank YOU! XOXO Carolyn James
5~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 5~~~~~~~~~~~~~5
The next day Adam had a firm discussion with Nicholas explaining his strong feelings against any further contact with his daughter and to stay away from her unless an adult was presence of . The young man gave his word as he stood shaking in his boots.
Despite her father's warning Kate continued to contact Nicholas several times throughout the summer enlisting the help of her big brother. Reluctantly, John obliged his sister and new friend hesitantly knowing Adam would not approve.
It was late summer when Mr. Belmont offered to host a Horse Race in the lovely town of Virginia City; a mighty one at that. After much talk in the taverns and local business Ted Belmont found men who would ride and men who would began to place their bets. High stakes were set on Nicholas winning the race; after all he was the experienced rider. Some riders wanted to bow out noting that they could not beat Nicholas or his prize wining horse. So Mr. Belmont raised the stakes 2 to 1 for anyone who could beat his son and announced the race would be held the following Saturday.
John Cartwright wanted to join the race. Adam and Ben saw no harm in him doing so; the track was straight and flat and only a mile and a quarter run. When Kate received the news she was furious. She knew that Adam would never agree to her racing but felt betrayed by her brother and Nicholas. As the week went on she grew quieter towards her whole family and barely said a word to her brother.
One day before the race Nicholas came by and asked Adam permission to speak to Kate. Adam hesitantly agreed that they could sit out on the porch and talk while he worked outside with the horses.
"Kate, I'm so sorry you can not race tomorrow. I can imagine what a severe disappointment in your eyes knowing how hard you trained and wanted this day for yourself. I can't help but think that maybe if you talked with your father maybe he just might understand. I could tell him how well you ride and how much you've learned. He seems like a very reasonable man; I think it might just work."
"Reasonable, Really." Kate said sarcastically. "You want me to tell my father that I snuck off with you all summer and took lessons on how to race my horse after he forbid me to do so in the first place. You're kidding right."
The young man hung his head low and dropped his hands between his legs, "Well I guess when you put it that way, maybe it's not such a good idea."
Nicholas stood up from the settee, "I hope you change your mind and decide to come tomorrow. I would love it if you cheered me on." Kate sat in silence.
The next Morning came early for Kate as she began to write a letter to Nicholas explaining why she couldn't bring herself to come to the race. She waked into John's room and handed him the letter.
"John, get up. The race starts in a couple of hours and you're not even out of bed." Kate poked at her brother.
"I can't go. I feel awful. My head won't stop spinning."
"Did you go out to that pre-celebration party at Tack's Tavern last night? Daddy will have your hide again John. Now what are you going to do?"
The brother and sister exchanged looks and knew just what they were going to do.
Adam agreed to let Kate and John leave early and he and the rest of the family would meet up with them at the race.
"Where's Kate? I told her to meet us here at the post office at eleven thirty. It's almost noon and the race is about to start." Adam complained as the family sat and listened.
"This is a mighty big crowd today Adam, I'm sure she will make her way thru anytime now." Ben said trying to ease his mind.
"Pa, why don't you and the kids find a good spot to watch the race while I go and find Kate? We will meet up with you after the race.
Adam looked towards the starting line and saw Nicholas lining up. He spotted John's horse and thought his son looked a bit small in his saddle. When Adam leaned into the crowd to get a closer view he quickly discovered it was not John but Kate in John's clothes.
She wore a bright red helmet to cover her long brown hair. Adam felt his temper rise from 1 to 10 as adrenaline rushed thru his veins. The Father of Five did not think but took action.
Nicholas noticed Adam charging towards the starting line like a bull seeing red. Meanwhile, Kate focused on the starting gun, ready for the race of her life.
A matter of seconds passed by as Adam flew under the banners and crossed the starting line. The hot-headed Rancher grabbed the reins ,mounted the Stallion and slid his daughter forward in the saddle leaving no time for discussion. Kate let out a clear gasp. Once the crowd realized what was happening they all began to laugh. Feeling Humiliated Kate began to kick her feet and squirm to get loose.
"Let me Race! I can do this! Please get off my horse!" the young teen shrieked.
Adam landed a firm smack to the side of Kate's thigh. "Yee~ouch, Daddy?"
"Not another move young lady. You and I are going home." Adam said in a low growl.
Heeding the warning, Kate sat soundly all the way home, which was not easy considering the speed her father was taking. She contemplated what she might say to try to make her father understand her course of action but nothing in her mind seem to justify her wrong. This time she had gone too far.